Can opener



Sept. 5, 1939. c w LANPHERE 2,171,658

CAN OPENER Filed March 15, 1937 1N VENTOR' Patented Sept. 5, 1939 UNETED STA'E'ES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to an opening device having a plurality of means for opening cans and means for removing caps from bottles, jars, etc.

One object of this invention is to provide an element that is both a spring and a cutter of such design as to afford the use of a. serrated wheel for turning a can, the serrations of which engage the can on their flat edges instead of their f)- corners. Such a feed wheel is more durable than one in which only the corners of the serrations engage the can rim.

Another object is to provide a cutter of underslung design having various angles that hold the 5 device close to the can top which alfords the use of a serrated feed wheel thin enough to be stamped and more economical than a feed wheel that has to be machine out.

Another object is to provide a second cutter that can be used for opening cans that are badly dented. This second cutter is similar to the well known type of hook design.

Another object is to provide a hook adapted to remove caps from bottles.

A still further object is to provide a structure having several elements that can be stamped or formed from one piece of material which still further enhances economy of manufacture.

The above and other features will be more fully 30 understood by reference to the drawings in Which- Fig. 1 is a plan view of the device as viewed from the top.

Fig. 2 is a view from the side.

Fig. 3 is a view of the surface of the underslung spring cutter disposed opposite to the feed wheel 5.

Fig. 4 is a view of a stamped blank before it is formed into several elements.

Fig. 5 is a view of this blank after being formed.

Fig. 6 is a flat view of the feed wheel 5 with the serrations indicated at 46.

Fig. 7 is an end view of a shaft 3.

Fig. 8 is an isometric view of a modification of one cutter.

The selected construction of opening device to illustrate the practicability of the invention may include a supporting element I which has a narrowed end or tang l9 designed to fit closely into a handle 48. g

A rotatable shaft 3 may be journalled in a suitable bearing aperture 4 in the base I; see Figs. 4 and 5. Mounted on shaft 3 may be a serrated feed wheel 5; see Fig. 2. This wheel can be fitted to the shaft 3 by threads which 55 are not shown, or the shaft can have a squared or angular offset 8; see Fig. '7, and the feed wheel 5 can then have an aperture 9 to fit said angular offset; see Fig. 6. A round tapered block I!) can be threaded on to shaft 3 (threads not shown) or this block can be formed of thin, hollow construction and fitted over offset 8 on shaft 3 without the use of threads. Shaft 3 at its lower end H (see Fig. 2) can be journalled in aperture [2 in an angular support 13; see Fig. 5. The shaft 3 can be turned back or riveted over the support 13 at i4. A washer 15 can be placed between the supp-ort l3 and the riveted end M. The support it can be integral with the base l as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, or it can be secured to the base I by screws or rivets l6 and IE or it can be spot welded to the base; see Fig. 2. When integral with the base the support I3 is bent as indicated at ii and i8 in Figs. 4 and 5. A handle 28 may be secured to the shaft 3 by fitting it over said shaft and inserting a pin 2| through holes in shaft 3 and handle 20. This pin can be riveted over the handle as shown at 22.

A hook for removing bottle caps, jar covers, etc. is indicated at 23. It is also indicated at 24 in Figs. 1 and 4. 25

A hook shaped can opener 25 having a beveled edge 25 may be incorporated as indicated at 26 in the drawings. It can have an offset 21 which can be attached with rivets 28 and 28' or other suitable means to the base i as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Or it can be formed integral with the base as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, wherein the arm 3| is bent on the line 32 to form an angle as disclosed in. Fig. 5. When composed of one piece elements l253l and I3 can be stamped and easily worked into the desired form. Character 33 indicates the arm 3i when bent opposite to its position as shown at 30. A notch 34 in the offset at the left end of arm 3| is shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 5. In Fig. 8 two notches 50 and 5| are shown in arm 31. Each notch in relation to the cutter 26 is on opposite sides of it. The cutter 25 can be beveled two ways as shown at 52 and 53. This makes the cutter adaptable for use by either right or left handed persons.

A combination spring and cutter 35 as indicated in Figs. 1-2 and 3 may be used. It may have a base 35, an offset 31, a curved part 38, an offset 38 and another offset 49. It can be secured to the base i by screws 32 and 42' or by other suitable means. The cutter 35 can have a recess 4i as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Its edges indicated at 49 may be beveled on each face (side) of the cutter. This cutter is disposed in an aperture 47 in the base i; see Figs. 1, 4, and 5. 55

The character 43 locates an indication can and character 44 its rim; see Fig. 2.

The device operates as follows:

The hooked cutter 26 and the rest arm 3| are used in the well known manner; the arm resting on the top of the can rim.

The hook 23, also 24 is used in the usual way for removing bottle caps, etc. A

The spring cutter 35 and the feed wheel 5 are used as described below.

The operator holds the device approximately in horizontal position with the handle 48 in either hand. The pointed end 45 of the cutter 3 5 is next ofa placed on the can top with the rim or bead 44 of the can between the end 45 and the round tapered block M. Then the palm of the other hand is placed on top of the element 1 at the end opposite to the handle 48. With a quick downward movement the operator punctures the can top and pushes the cutter 35 through it until the under surface of the base 1 comes to rest on the top of the rim 44. Then the handle 48 is held in one hand and the handle 20 is rotated with the other hand. This will turn the feed wheel 5 which is held firmly against the rim 44 by the spring action of the spring cutter 35. The serrations or teeth 460i any desirable design will dig into the can and push the can periphery towards the cutter notch 4 I. Continued rotation will cutout the can top in disc form and the edge of the top remaining attached to the can will be pressed against the inside of the can, leaving a smooth surface. The device is removed by tipping it up on the edge of the base nearest to the operator.

If the offset39 has too sharp an angle with the base I the feed wheel 5 will not clutch the can rim and if this offset approximates a right angle with the said base I, the base will tip and the feed wheel 5 will be moved out of alignment with the can rim and consequently will not clutch it. The design of the spring cutter 35 with its various offsets is absolutely essential to assure cutting of the various types and sizes of cans and to hold the base close to the can rim top which is necessary in order to permit the use of a thin serrated feed wheel such as disclosed in this device.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein it is understood thatmodifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims as herewith appended.

What I claim is:

1. In a can opener, a supporting member, means adapted to be grasped by the hand, said means connected to said supporting member, an integral cutter blade and spring, said cutter blade and spring having a portion connected to and disposed above said supporting member, and another portion projecting below said supporting member when said can opener is in functioning position, said, cutter blade and spring in relation to said supporting member being movable .longitudinally and upwardly, a toothed feed wheel disposed below said supporting member and adapted to be held by said integral cutter and spring in cooperative cutting relation with respect to a can, and operating means for said feed wheel.

2. In a can opener, a supporting element, a hooked cutter blade and spring of integral structure, said cutter blade and spring being connected to said supporting element, said cutter blade extending beneath the material that is to be cut by said cutter blade when said can opener is in operation, a toothed feed wheel, said integral hooked cutter blade and spring adapted to hold said feed wheel in cooperative cutting relation with respect to a can, and operating means for said feed wheel.

3. In a can opener, a supporting element, a spring and cutter of integral structure, said spring and cutter being connected to said supporting element, a portion of said spring and cutter in relation to said supporting element being immovable in any direction, a toothed feed wheel, said integral spring and cutter adapted to hold said feed wheel in cooperating cutting relation with respect to a can, and operating means for said feed wheel.

CLIVE W. LAN'PHERE. 45 

